Andrei Kirilenko and Paul Millsap left Utah's win over Portland on Saturday night with injuries.

After hitting his first three shots, Kirilenko felt a twinge in his lower back. Meanwhile, Millsap banged knees with a Portland player.

Both of the incidents occurred in the first half and neither player returned in the second.

Kirilenko was officially diagnosed with a mild-to-moderate lower back strain and Millsap with a bruised left knee.

X-rays on Millsap's knee after the game didn't reveal any damage.

"I was going to (return), but the intensity out there was too high," he said. "I didn't want to risk getting hit again. Normally I would probably try to get out there. Not saying I'm soft or anything. I wanted to get out there. I love the game of basketball and I just wanted to play."

Kirilenko says he's "used" to this type of pain. His back flared up at times last season.

Via Deseret News

Utah Jazz

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